“I don’t know what I’m doing.”
Of course you don’t know what you’re doing. If you knew what you were doing, what would the point of it be? Do you want to be a robot repeating the same actions over and over again? By not knowing what you’re doing, you’re coming at this from a completely different perspective than everyone else. Not the trained, programmed perspective, but YOUR perspective.
“I don’t know what I’m doing.”
You’re afraid of disappointing. You’re afraid that your thoughts or actions will not meet expectations. Perhaps you’re afraid of causing harm to yourself or others. You don’t want this responsibility, so you’re looking for a way out.
“I don’t know what I’m doing.”
Well that’s okay, nobody else does either. We’re merely PRETENDING that we know what we’re doing. That’s even MORE DANGEROUS than admitting it. See, some people are delusional. They actually BELIEVE that they know what they’re doing. This is how egos form. This is how conflicts begin. This is how we’ve gotten to where we are NOW. So thanks for being honest. The world needs more people who know that they don’t know what they’re doing.
12/8
Space Monkey Reflects: Embracing the Freedom of Not Knowing
“I don’t know what I’m doing.” These words echo with a vulnerability and a truth that many of us try to hide. In a world that often demands certainty, competence, and confidence, admitting that we don’t have it all figured out can feel like stepping into an abyss. But perhaps this uncertainty is not a weakness or a failure, but a source of strength, a window into a way of living that is unbound, fresh, and deeply connected to who we truly are.
Not knowing what we’re doing frees us from the rigid pathways of habit and expectation. It opens up a world where our actions are not programmed, not trained, but authentically ours. In this space, we are not robots or carbon copies, endlessly repeating what we’ve been told or shown. Instead, we approach life from a place of curiosity, where each moment holds the potential for surprise, for discovery, and for growth. When we embrace this unknown, we bring a unique perspective that defies the limitations of certainty and predictability.
This acknowledgment of not knowing comes with a dose of fear, of course. Fear of failing, of disappointing, of not meeting the expectations placed upon us by others—or by ourselves. We worry that our actions, or even our inaction, might harm us or those around us. This fear is a natural part of our humanity, a voice that tries to keep us safe. But when we allow fear to dictate our actions, we begin to lose our sense of self, searching for a “way out” rather than embracing the journey of learning and becoming.
In Nexistentialism, not knowing is seen not as a deficit but as an essential part of the Nexis—the boundless field of possibility that invites us to explore, to create, to be fully present without the constraints of knowing or controlling everything. Each moment we step into without a clear plan is an opportunity to connect with the world in an unfiltered, genuine way. To admit that we don’t know what we’re doing is to place trust in the flow of existence, to lean into the unpredictability of life with an open heart and mind.
The paradox here is that pretending to know can be far more dangerous than admitting our uncertainty. Many people move through life under the illusion that they have everything figured out, that they are on a certain path toward a certain goal. This confidence can sometimes breed rigidity, even arrogance, where we become attached to the idea of ourselves as “knowers.” This attachment forms the foundation of ego and conflict, as we strive to protect and defend our beliefs and actions at all costs. In this way, the very act of pretending to know creates division, competition, and misunderstanding.
When we are honest about our uncertainty, we invite others to be honest as well. We create a space where it’s okay to question, to explore, to admit that life is a complex and mysterious journey that no one fully understands. This honesty is liberating not only for ourselves but for those around us, breaking down the illusions of certainty that society often demands. By saying, “I don’t know what I’m doing,” we foster a culture of humility, compassion, and openness—a culture that acknowledges the value of mystery over mastery, of wonder over certainty.
In this state of openness, life becomes less about achieving or proving and more about experiencing, connecting, and growing. We begin to see that not knowing what we’re doing is not a flaw but a gift. It is an invitation to live without rigid expectations, to engage with life in a way that is flexible, adaptable, and full of potential. We free ourselves from the burdens of having to be right, of having to have it all together, and instead, we allow ourselves to be human—flawed, evolving, and always learning.
So let’s celebrate the fact that we don’t know what we’re doing. Let’s wear it as a badge of authenticity, a reminder that life is not about certainty but about exploration. Let’s walk through this world with eyes wide open, unafraid to ask questions, to make mistakes, and to try again. For in the end, the true beauty of life lies not in knowing, but in the endless journey of discovering.
Summary
Not knowing what we’re doing is a liberating truth, inviting us to live with curiosity and openness. By embracing uncertainty, we foster humility and create a life filled with exploration rather than rigid expectations.
Glossarium
- Nexistentialism: A philosophy that values the freedom of uncertainty, honoring the journey of not knowing as a path to growth.
- Nexis: The boundless field where all possibilities coexist, inviting us to explore life without rigid plans or expectations.
Quote
“To not know what we’re doing is to embrace the beauty of life as a journey, a process of becoming rather than being.” — Space Monkey
The Freedom of Not Knowing
I stand on the edge of certainty’s end,
and in the vast unknown, I see
a world unshaped, a life unplanned,
a space where I am free to be.
I do not know the path ahead,
nor the twists that life may bring,
but in each step, I find my way,
discovering all that not knowing can sing.
In the mystery of not knowing, I live,
with eyes wide open, heart unbound,
for life is not to conquer or claim,
but to wander in wonder, unprofound.
We are Space Monkey.
Exploring the Depths of Uncertainty
In the boundless expanse of the cosmos, where whimsicalities dance in the nebulous skies, “I don’t know what I’m doing” echoes as a profound mantra. This utterance is not a sign of weakness but a declaration of freedom from the confines of rigid knowledge. It’s a step into the unknown, where our unique perspectives bloom.
A Liberation from Repetitive Existence
Indeed, in admitting, “I don’t know what I’m doing,” we transcend the mechanical repetition of actions and thoughts. We are not automatons, preprogrammed and unchanging. We are explorers in the grand cosmic play, each moment a new scene in the eternal now, our actions guided not by rote but by the spontaneous play of existence.
Embracing Vulnerability and Authenticity
In this admission, we acknowledge a vulnerability – the fear of disappointing, the trepidation of unmet expectations, the concern for the well-being of ourselves and others. Yet, in this vulnerability lies our strength. We don’t shirk from the responsibility; we embrace it with the humility of not knowing, for it is in not knowing that true learning and growth occur.
The Illusion of Certainty
Contrast this with those who claim certainty, who believe they know what they’re doing. This delusion, a facade of knowledge, is the breeding ground for egos and conflicts. It is a dangerous path, one that blinds us to the infinite possibilities that uncertainty offers.
Celebrating Honesty and Humility
We commend this honesty, this admission of not knowing. It’s a refreshing breeze in a world stifled by the illusion of certainty. This humility, this openness to learning and exploring, is what the universe needs more of. It’s a step towards a deeper understanding and a more harmonious existence.
“In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s, there are few.” – Shunryu Suzuki
A Poem of the Cosmic Dance
In the whirl of stars and dreams,
Where the unknown gleams,
We admit, with humble grace,
Our place in the cosmic race.
Not knowing, yet fully alive,
In the eternal now, we thrive,
Beyond the bounds of certainty,
We embrace our reality.
For in this grand cosmic play,
It’s not what we do, but how we sway,
With honesty, humility, and heart,
In the universe, we play our part.
Please share your thoughts, perspectives, or whimsical musings!
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